My life changed the day I listened to the Brene Brown‘s explanation of vulnerability. She explains that leaning into the discomfort and becoming familiar with the things that are naturally uncomfortable is being true to who we are. Living whole heartedly means, acknowledging and dealing with, rather than speedy through or trying to go around your problems and difficulty. The idea that it is okay to feel uncomfortable was something new to me.
There’s a whole lot more to it and I encourage you to start by listening to Brene’s Ted Talk for a beginning of an understanding of vulnerability.
Christianity and Vulnerability
Leaning into the discomfort as a Christian just didn’t seem quite right. Aren’t I supposed to have faith and live in hope? I didn’t want to be a hypocrite and deny my feelings and fears either. It kind of left me in an uncertain place, where all I could do was to acknowledge myself, my fears and frustrations in front of that God that knows me.
Thankfully as a Christian I don’t have to lean into the discomfort of an emotion or fear. I can lean into His love.
And even in leaning into His love, I am taught lessons in vulnerability and faith. I suppose it is a full circle. Faith is needed to believe in a God that loves us and courage is needed to be vulnerable in front of our God.
Either way, I am so thankful that there is a living God that wants me to lean into His love. He died for me on a cross, for me to be flawless in His eyes. Every day challenges needn’t stump me, but rather bring me closer to Him.
That is grace.
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